As the crowd from the meeting poured into the corridor, Tsunade caught up with Dan Katō before she had even figured out what to say.
"Um—"
Dan Katō stopped and turned around.
Tsunade opened her mouth, forcibly swallowing the words "What you said just now was really good," before changing them to, "Where did the data for that casualty list come from?"
"Medical Department archives and frontline mission reports. I spent two months organizing them." Dan Katō patted the pouch at his waist. "If Tsunade needs it, I can bring over the full analysis report."
"Don't call me that." Tsunade frowned slightly. "Just call me Tsunade."
Dan Katō froze for a moment, then nodded.
Tsunade took two steps forward, then stopped again.
She stared at the sunset beyond the window at the end of the corridor for three seconds. When she spoke again, her voice was slightly lower. "The analysis report... bring it directly to the Senju Clan Compound. And while you're there... we can discuss how to move the reforms forward."
Dan Katō agreed earnestly.
Tsunade turned and strode away, moving twice as fast as usual.
Behind one of the corridor pillars, Nawaki withdrew his gaze and walked out with his hands in his pockets.
Mikoto followed, glancing at him.
"You're grinning so hard your mouth's about to split."
"My sister finally got a clue." Nawaki rubbed his hands together. "Come on, let's go buy groceries."
"Groceries?"
"We need to make a good meal tonight. My sister invited someone over."
Mikoto paused. "...Was that an invitation just now?"
"You wouldn't understand." Nawaki quickened his pace. "When she says, 'Bring it to the Senju Clan Compound,' it translates to, 'I'm inviting you to dinner.' My sister's always been like this. She wants to be nice to someone, but she'd rather